TOXIC PERSONAL CARE
PRODUCTS YOU USE DAILY - by Dr. Rapp
Your shampoo, toothpaste, hair sprays and dyes, underarm deodorants, body lotions, creams, perfume, lipstick, bubblebath, shaving preparations, aftershave, deodorants, scented soaps, fingernail polish and polish removers all can contain substances that can make you sick. So many people developed asthma from scented perfume strips in magazines, for example, that they were discontinued by many advertisers. Remember what you put on your skin, can go directly into your body.
There is little supervision of the cosmetics industry. The FDA does not require manufacturers to register their products or to file safety data on the ingredients used. They is nothing stopping them from putting a number of toxic chemicals in their products. One perfume, for example, can contain over 200 chemicals.
There is no doubt that many products contain numerous substances that can make you ill, and some are known to cause cancer in animals. Many chemicals can damage the skin, cause rashes like hives or eczema or a contact rash on the spot where they are placed. Some can hurt inner organs, cause asthma or hay fever, sudden hoarseness or problems thinking clearly, behaving appropriately or even writing. One giant whiff of a perfume spray, for example, can create a medical emergency and cause some, who are very sensitive, to collapse or be unable to stand and walk. Only about 1% of the population, for example, recognize they are bothered by perfumes. The number affected is probably much larger. Those who have multiple chemical sensitivities are almost always extremely ill or incapacitated by exposures to innumerable scented items.
Let's look at a few examples:
Fragrances can contain urine and feces. They can be toxic and cause allergies and changes in behavior.
Artificial colors or dyes come from coal tar and can contain heavy metals and deposit toxins in the skin. Some cause cancer.
Mineral oil in baby oil sounds safe but it clogs skin pores like a plastic coating. It can lead to premature aging of the skin and cause acne .
Sodium lauryl sulfate is one such product. It is in 90% of personal care products that foam. It can damage cell membranes and possibly cause hair loss. It is commonly found in shampoos. It is used as an engine degreaser and in car washes.
Another substance is called propylene glycol (PG). This is in shampoos, styling gels, body lotions and creams. It is actually antifreeze. Propylene glycol (PG) weakens skin cells. Its so toxic those who work with it must wear gloves and goggles.
Cocamide DEA is another substance found in shampoo and bath products. In mice, it can cause liver and kidney cancer.
There is another category called alpha hydroxy acids. Substances such as glycolic, citric, lactic, malic, or hydroxycaprylic acid can be found in body creams and sometimes in shampoos. These can cause redness, burning, bleeding, blistering, itching, rashes and discoloration. They increase sun sensitivity and therefore the risk of skin cancer.
Polyelthylene glycol (PEG) can cause dry skin, cancer and aging. It is used in oven cleaners and can be in many body products.
Another substance is isopropyl alcohol. This strips the skin of its natural protection barrier..
Mono, di or tri ethanolamines disrupt hormones and produce cancer causing substances such as nitrates and nitrosamines that are known to damage the liver and kidney.
DMDM hydantoin and imidazolidinyl urea can release formaldehyde and cause joint pain, heart irregularities and a weakened immune system.
Butyltoluene is used a a fragrance fixative so aromas lasts longer. One is a nitro-musk compound known to cause weak hind legs in rats and serious nervous system problems and brain cell damage. What does it do to humans?
Tricolsan is similar to the pesticide Agent Orange and can cause decreased fertility, birth defects and damage to major body organs.
Fluorides are in most toothpastes used today. Read the labels. The government has stated it can be unsafe. Children under 7 should not swallow more than a pea sized amount. If it is unsafe for a small child, why would it be safe in your toothpaste or water, for you or your other children. Read: www.mercola.com/2001/may/30/toothpaste.htm
If you want to be safe, start to read the fine print on what you buy . Why not purchase your body products at health food stores. You have a better chance of using less toxic and dangerous products.